The Valiants are denied a point late on at Vale Park
After a cagey opening, the first chance of the game came in the fourth minute when Gavin Massey’s deep cross was headed back across goal but it was cleared at the near post by a Pompey defender.
Three minutes later the visitors had a chance of their own when Abu Kamara cut inside from the right and before finding Paddy Lane who saw his effort well blocked by Jason Lowe. From the following corner, Connor Ogilvie headed over at the near post.
After going close, the visitors put the pressure on and continued to push for the opening goal. A corner from the right was cleared as far as Ogilvie who saw his left-footed effort whistle wide of the post in the 12th minute.
In the 26th minute Paddy Lane and Myles Peart-Harris exchanged passes on halfway to set Lane free. As the Pompey winger got to the byline, he crossed low towards Terry Devlin but his first time strike at the back post sailed over the bar.
Just before the break Pompey had a plethora of corners which caused some issues for the Vale backline. A low corner from the left saw Nathan Smith shank a clearance over his own crossbar. From the following corner Connor Ripley moved well to save Colby Bishop’s header down to his right.
At half-time the scores were level, but the visitors had enjoyed more possession and had the better chances. Uche Ikpeazu was forced off for the vale with a shoulder injury in the 38th minute. He was replaced by Ryan Loft.
Two minutes after the restart Peart-Harris won the ball in his own half and drove towards goal. He had teammates either side of him but decided to shoot straight at Connor Ripley who comfortably saved. The Valiants number one was called into action a minute later when he was on hand to save Paddy Lane’s effort after Pompey won possession on the edge of the Vale box.
In the 66th minute Ethan Chislett’s freekick from the left was cleared as far as Tom Sang who saw his first-time volley deflect just wide of the Pompey goal.
Portsmouth continued to push for the opener and came close in the 74th minute after Myles Peart-Harris’ effort was saved. Bishop did well to hold the ball up and lay it off to Peart-Harris who hit his effort into the ground forcing Ripley to palm over the bar.
Eight minutes from time a lofted threw ball was allowed to find Joe Morrell who pulled it back to Abu Kamara, but his effort came off his toe and was sliced wide of the goal from 12 yards out. It was a great chance for the visitors to take the lead after the Vale momentarily switched off.
In the 85th minute Portsmouth were awarded a penalty when Conor Grant went shoulder-to-shoulder with Abu Kamara, the Portsmouth player fell to the floor and referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot. After deliberation with the linesman the referee finally awarded the penalty and Colby Bishop stepped up and sent Connor Ripley the wrong way to give his side the lead in somewhat controversial fashion
As we entered five minutes of added time Ryan Loft tried his luck from range but it was well wide of the goal.
Port Vale | Connor Ripley, Nathan Smith, Ethan Chislett, Uche Ikpeazu (Ryan Loft 38’), Connor Grant, Jason Lowe, Alex Iacovitti, Gavin Massey, Jensen Weir, James Wilson (Jack Shorrock 64’) Dan Gore (Tom Sang 54’)
Subs not used: Jayson Leutwiler, Rhys Walters, Baylee Dipepa, Jesse Debrah
Portsmouth | Will Norris, Connor Ogilvie (Jack Sparkes 60’), Colby Bishop (Riley Towler 92’) Joe Morrell, Connor Shaughnessy, Sean Ragget, Terry Devlin, Abu Kamara, Tom Lowery, Paddy Lane (Josh Martin 80’), Myles Peart-Harris
Subs not used: Matt Macey, Anthony Scully, Gavin Whyte, Christian Saydee,